G.V. makes a game of it in the second half; Saugus wins second straight game

Saugus beat Golden Valley 42-26 at Canyon High School on Friday night, but the 26 points scored by the Grizzlies were more than they have scored the entire season.

"This is big for our program," said Golden Valley head coach Andy Campbell. "We know we can compete. The kids are starting to figure it out."

It was bleak early for the Grizzlies (0-8, 0-3), as Saugus led 28-0 going into halftime.

All four of the Centurions' touchdowns were scored by running back Chris Wolford.

Saugus (3-5, 2-1) scored on its first possession with a 2-yard run by Wolford that was set up by a 27-yard reception by wide receiver Jon Aguirre. A touchdown pass just two plays earlier was called back due to a holding penalty, but the Centurions set things right.

Wolford's second touchdown came with just two minutes left in the first quarter, this time with another 2-yard run.

Saugus' Manny Padron intercepted Golden Valley quarterback Reid Soloman's pass on the Grizzlies' 20-yard line and it looked like Saugus would score again before the quarter ended.

But a pair of Saugus penalties and a defensive stand by Golden Valley stopped the Centurions from scoring on the drive.

But the Centurions came back with another Wolford touchdown with 7:36 left in the second quarter. Wolford's 5-yard run and the ensuing PAT gave the Centurions a 21-0 lead.

Golden Valley's defense forced a punt on Saugus' next possession, but quickly gave the back the ball with an interception.

Saugus didn't keep the ball very long either, as Golden Valley's Nigel Willis stripped the ball from Centurions quarterback Zack Gauthier and the Grizzlies took over.

The Grizzlies were able to make a move into Saugus territory, but the Centurions' defense held.

Wolford scored on a 5-yard run with six seconds left in the half to give Saugus a 28-0 lead.

The second half started like the first, with Saugus scoring halfway into the third quarter on a 9-yard run by Adam Torres, putting the Centurions up 35-0.

Starting on their own 28-yard line, the Grizzlies were able to march up the field with the help of a couple of Saugus penalties.

A pass-interference call and a facemask penalty helped get the ball into Saugus territory.

Golden Valley's Andrew Avila, subbing in at quarterback for the play, found a hole and ran 45 yards for a touchdown. With Kelsey Gonzalez kicking the PAT, the Grizzlies were on the board, but trailing 35-7.

The Grizzlies scored their second touchdown on a 40-yard run by Jeff Coprich with 7:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Golden Valley was successful on an onside kick and Coprich scored again on a 47-yard run where he broke several tackles.

The PAT failed, but the Grizzlies were making a game of it with a 35-20 score with 7:27 left in the game.

With just 2:22 remaining in the game, Saugus came back for another touchdown on a 2-yard run by Torres, bringing the Saugus lead to 42-20.

Golden Valley wasn't finished yet and with just 38 seconds left in the game, Soloman connected with Avila for a 45-yard touchdown.

The Grizzlies pressed their luck with a two-point conversion attempt that failed for a final score of 42-26.

"It's a win, which is what we want," said Saugus head coach Jason Bornn.